Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of soft shoe inserts on foot alignment and falls in toddlers with moderate to severe flat feet. Methods: An experimental design with each subject as her own control as well as a separate group of toddlers with less than moderate flat feet was used in this study. Data were collected from each subject in two separate trials on two different days approximately one week apart. Falls, loss of balance, time to walk, and number of steps were assessed on videos of each subject walking on five laps of fifteen feet of uneven mats. Foot alignment was documented through photographs of the subject standing on a mat with a grid of one inch blocks printed on it. Results: Repeated measures analysis showed the measures to be reliable for all measures. The only significant effect of the inserts on the dependent variables was on the distance between the first metatarsophalangeal joints of the subjects’ feet. Trends were documented in decreased falls, loss of balance occurrences, heel distance, and knee distance. Conclusions: The measures used i this study are reliable across subjects adn across trials. The significant decrease in the distance between the first metatarsophalangeal joints of the subjects’ feet with less heel and knee change indicates decreased eversion in subjects wearing the inserts. Trends of decreased heel distance, and knee distance indicate a trend of narrower base of support with the inserts. Trends of decreased falls and loss of balance occurrences indicate a trend of improved motor function in gait. The use of soft shoe inserts to decrease eversion in toddlers’ feet with moderate to severe flat feet is supported.
